Over 100 students join internship programme

Over 100 Manx students are set to benefit from experience of the working world with local businesses.

Government has provided an update on the Summer Internship Programme from Business Isle of Man, which is giving young people aged 18-25 the chance to link up with Manx organisations to develop their skills and knowledge.

It was one of the first initiatives to be supported under the £100m Economic Recovery Fund that was announced by Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan MHK in his budget update to July’s Tynwald.

It'll provide full wage support at a weekly rate of £256 per week for businesses, third sector and other organisations.

According to officials, the initiative received 259 student applications and 112 business hosts seeking support with 161 projects.

Enterprise Minister, Laurence Skelly MHK, says: "As a government, we stand ready to invest in our economy, in our people, in our Island and in our future, of which this initiative is a prime example of this in action.

"The programme has not only provided direct opportunities for over 100 young people to improve their employability and skills for the future, but has supported local businesses with much needed resource to help with specific projects or coronavirus recovery work."

The programme is now closed to new individual and business applicants, with Business IOM now working to match any outstanding, compatible applications which were received before the deadline.